Volcanoes in third after see-saw week

Volcano Andrew Leenhouts fires off a pitch in the early going of a game with Everett Monday, June 23. (KEIZERTIMES/Eric A. Howald)

By HERB SWETTFor the Keizertimes

June 18: Volcanoes 8, Hillsboro 6

Salem-Keizer overcame a 5-2 Hillsboro lead to spoil the Hops’ home opener and even its record at 3-3.

Trailing by three runs after four innings, the Volcanoes scored three runs in the fifth, one in the sixth and two in the seventh.

After a rough pitching start by Drew Leenhouts, Cameron McVey struck out seven in 3-2/3 innings, and Eury Sanchez pitched two innings to get his second win. Ian Gardeck had his first save. John Pedrotty was the losing pitcher in relief.

The Volcanoes got their fifth-inning runs on two singles, a double, a stolen base and an error.

Travious Relaford and Geno Escalante drove in two hits each for the Volcanoes, and Leo Rojas and Shilo McCall had two hits apiece.

June 19: Hillsboro 4, Volcanoes 3

This was close all the way, with Hillsboro starter Ryan Doran striking out seven in his 5-2/3 innings and getting the win.

Salem-Keizer never led except for scoring the first run of the game before the Hops batted. Tyler Hollick doubled and scored on a single by Relaford.

The Hops’ Elvin Soto singled Justin Gonzalez home in the bottom of the ninth inning to give Hillsboro the rubber game of the series.

Salem-Keizer’s only run came on a fourth-inning home run by Johneshwy Fargas, the first of his professional career and one of his three hits. No Hillsboro player had that many, but Hillsboro outhit the Volcanoes 9-8.

Jake McCasland was the losing pitcher in relief, and Dustin Loggins was the winner, also in relief.

June 21: Volcanoes 3, Everett 2

Craig Massoni delivered his third walk-off hit of the season, a bases-loaded single that scored Johneshwy Fargas to break a 2-2 tie.

The AquaSox led 2-0 until the bottom of the fifth inning, when Fernando Pujadas singled with the bases loaded to drive in Ryan Jones. Everett kept the 2-1 lead until the Volcano ninth.

Jones led off the Salem-Keizer ninth by reaching first base on an error. Pujadas tripled to score him for the second time. An error put Fargas on first, Geno Escalante was hit by a pitch, and Christian Arroyo reached first on a force out at third. Massoni’s single followed.

Four Volcano pitchers totaled 15 strikeouts, with Ian Gardeck the winner in relief. Everett reliever Kody Kerski took the loss.

June 22: Everett 6,

Volcanoes 2

A seventh-inning two-out error by Craig Massoni led to three of the AquaSox’s runs.

The game was scoreless until the sixth inning, when Salem-Keizer scored the first run. A double by Fernando Pujadas drove in Ryan Jones, who had singled.

Volcanoes starter Jason Forjet pitched five scoreless innings with five strikeouts. In fact, Volcano pitchers totaled 10 strikeouts to Everett’s five. Each club had 10 hits and two errors.

All six AquaSox runs came in the seventh. Everett had two walks, a stolen base and two extra-base hits, including a two-run homer by Wilton Martinez. In the ninth, the Volcanoes put up their usual fight. Johneshwy Fargas walked, moved up on a wild pitch and then a walk, and scored on a balk.

Ricardo Pereira was the winning pitcher in relief. Kirk Singer was the loser, also in relief.

June 23: Volcanoes 7,

Everett 1

Will Callaway and Drew Leenhouts led the Volcanoes to their biggest win of the season so far.

Leenhouts, the starting and winning pitcher, allowed no runs and struck out six in his six innings. Callaway went 4 for 4, driving in three runs and scoring two.